When your air conditioner loses cooling power, your home will feel too warm and uncomfortable. More importantly, this is often the first sign of a bigger mechanical problem.
Whether the cooling issue is something minor, or requires serious AC repairs, knowing how to identify the cause is essential. From there, you can choose the best action to take.
- Dirty or Blocked Condenser Coils
- Malfunctioning or Improperly Set Thermostat
- Low and Leaking Refrigerant
- Dirty or Clogged Air Filter
- Faulty Start/Run Capacitors
- Undersized or Outdated Air Conditioner
- Malfunctioning Blower Motor or Blower Fan
- Leaks in Your Ductwork
Dirty or Blocked Condenser Coils
The compressor unit that sits outside your home holds the condenser coils and other essential cooling components. While the compressor housing offers effective protection against the elements, debris can still get inside and interfere with the normal operation of the coils.
If you see debris blocking the vents in the housing, try to remove it. Tree branches, leaves, and litter can obstruct airflow. If that doesn’t help, you might need an HVAC technician to clean the condenser coils.
Malfunctioning or Improperly Set Thermostat
The thermostat is often the cause of cooling efficiency. Check the thermostat’s settings to make sure it’s set to cool automatically.
You can also check the batteries. If you have recently replaced the batteries, the unit might need calibrating. To check this, lower the setting and force a cooling cycle to start. If the AC doesn’t start a cycle, your AC technician can recalibrate the thermostat.
Low and Leaking Refrigerant
Your air conditioning system relies on refrigerant as a catalyst for the transfer of heat. Since this process requires a specific amount of refrigerant, the coolant stays in a closed system. A leak in the system will cause a drop in the level of refrigerant.
A loss of refrigerant results in a variety of cooling problems. You might notice warm or reduced airflow, frozen evaporator coils in the air handler, or strange hissing noises. You’ll need a certified HVAC technician to safely handle the refrigerant, repair the leak, and add more refrigerant.
Dirty or Clogged Air Filter
As the air filter becomes dirty, it will block the flow of treated air. This can lead to reduced airflow, high energy waste, and poorer indoor air quality. You can prevent a wide range of AC malfunctions by keeping an eye on the air filter. Make a habit of replacing the filter every 30-90 days for optimal cooling performance.
Faulty Start/Run Capacitors
The air conditioner’s compressor also contains the system’s start and run capacitor. The start capacitor initiates a cooling cycle, while the run capacitor regulates the cycle’s duration.
If either of these capacitors fails, the compressor will make repetitive clicking sounds. It may lose the ability to start or maintain a cooling cycle, depending on which capacitor fails. The only way to fix this problem is by replacing the capacitors.
Undersized or Outdated Air Conditioner
The average lifetime of a central air conditioning system is 15 to 20 years. As your cooling system reaches that age range, you may notice a change in performance. Older and weaker equipment won’t be able to cool your home as well. Replacing the unit is the only way to restore efficient cooling in your living spaces.
When the time comes for an AC replacement, you’ll work closely with an HVAC company. They can help you determine your cooling needs, and they will recommend units that match those needs. This is important because installing an undersized unit will lead to improper cooling and high energy waste.
Malfunctioning Blower Motor or Blower Fan
The blower motor and fan push treated air to the air filter and out into your ductwork. During an annual AC tune-up, the technician will fine-tune the motor, replace worn belts, and check the fan blades. Problems with any of these components will disrupt the flow of cooled air to your living spaces.
In addition to reduced airflow, you can spot a blower fan problem by listening for unusual noises. A faulty motor or worn belt might cause the unit to whine or squeal. A loose or damaged fan might make loud, metallic sounds. A technician can diagnose the specific malfunction and repair it promptly.
Leaks in Your Ductwork
Air conditioner malfunctions aren’t always the cause of inefficient cooling when low airflow plays a role. Even if the AC is performing well, a leak in your ductwork will reduce efficiency and performance. Rather than reaching your living spaces, treated air will leak from the ducts.
Know When to Call for Professional Help
You can use this guide to perform a quick visual check of your cooling system. You can detect most of these problems without the use of specialized equipment. Depending on the underlying cause, you can either fix the problem yourself or call the pros. Your quick action will restore cooling comfort and protect the longevity of your air conditioner.
Cromwell Energy has the experience and expertise to professionally install and maintain your central air conditioning (AC) system. Our licensed and insured technicians utilize state-of-the-art equipment to install the highest quality, most reliable systems on the market. Contact us today to learn more!